Disney’s Messy ‘Book Of Boba Fett’ Unites Star Wars’ Past, Present, & Future
Book of Boba Fett unites several chapters in a galaxy far, far away… for better or for worse.
Disney’s The Book Of Boba Fett has finished up (for now at least). It had some pretty mixed reactions overall. While it had some good parts overall it was a bit of a mess. At the same time however it managed to tie together pretty much all of Star Wars in one seven episode season. Lets take a look at it.
The Book of Boba Fett is a hard show to describe. It was originally billed “Boba Fett runs a crime family”. But I’m not sure we actually ever see Boba Fett perform any crimes in this story.
Trying to describe the BoBF is hard, because it tries to do so dang much. But in doing so, it managed to tie the whole universe together.
via Disney+
Book Of Boba Fett Manages To Draw Star Wars Together
Somewhat hidden among a messy show that’s supposed to be about one character, is that fact the BoBF ties together just about everything in Star Wars. Taking a look at it, it’s really kind of incredible.
On the face of it Book of Boba Feet is a direct sequel to the Original Trilogy and Return of The Jedi. It follows Boba from his supposed death in Jedi, connects him to the Mandalorian, and then follows him onward. Its ties to the Mandalorian and Jedi are clear.
But Boba Fett does more than just that. It manages to tie in the Prequels, with the character of Boba Fett himself, reminding us that his history goes back that far. It also ties into the sequel trilogy, by showing the evolution of Luke as a teacher.
The show ties into the animated shows, such as the Clone Wars and Rebels with the appearance of Ahsoka, Cad Bane and the Pykes. Cobb Vanth comes from the novels, though he did show up on Mando first. Black Krrsantan marks what I think might be a first, bringing a Star Wars comic book character to live action.
Much like Infinity War and Endgame tied together the whole MCU, BoBF ties together characters and storylines from pretty much every type of Star Wars media. Heck, the show even has its own version of the “On your left” moment, when Boba and Mando, pinned down and hiding behind their armor are saved by the arrival of their friends, who all team up for the big fight.
It’s the First Show to Really Tie Into the Sequels
Boba Fett is the first major Star Wars visual property to really tie into and set up the Sequel Trilogy. This is not always to its benefit. The show includes a number of hints and nods to what will happen in the future.
The most obvious is Luke’s Jedi Academy. In the show we get to see the start of the doomed Academy. But we also get to see a bit of why it, and Luke, failed.
It seems clear that Luke is trying too hard to replicate the Jedi Order of old. Luke’s interactions with Grogu, and the choice he puts to the baby, show that Luke hasn’t really accepted the lessons of the past decades.
Arguably the Jedi fell not because of their attachments, but because of their lack of them. The need to not form attachments left the Jedi aloof and apart from the people and lead to them being manipulated.
At the same time attachments can make a Jedi stronger. Ashoka survived the Clone Wars because of her attachments, in Rex most of all.
Luke defeated the Emperor and redeemed Anakin because of his love and attachment. Interestingly, in BoBF we see Luke trying to live up to the legend of the Jedi, and recreate the old ways – ways that will lead to disaster. This makes sense with the jaded disillusioned Luke we see later.
Tying It All Together
Overall this was a show that tried to do too much. It managed to amazing tie together pretty much all of Star Wars. At the same time in doing this it lost its way. It’s not really a show about anything in particular.
Because it’s got so much going on, and so many characters, many plot and characters get far less screen time than they deserve. Some turn into characters of themselves, others are reduced to fan service.
This is an issue Infinity War also had. At the end of the day, the Book Of Boba Fett is messy. It’s not really very good, but it is ambitious. And does have something for just about any Star Wars fan to go “ooo” over.
For better or worse, it ties together all of Star Wars. I think in later years, we will look back on the show as a branching point. Unremarkable on its own, but important for what it connected and set up.
Let us know what you think about how the show ties everything together, down in the comments.
